THE CAUSES OF INSOMNIA
Aside from being seen as a symptom of more major emotional, neurological and biological abnormalities, secondary insomnia can also be caused by depression, anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder. Other emotional disorders that can also bring about secondary insomnia also include Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Arthritis and headaches and other conditions that cause chronic pain. Other causes also include asthma, heart failure, overactive thyroid, heartburn and other gastrointestinal disorders, stroke, restless legs syndrome, breathing-related difficulties and other sleep disorders and menopause and hot flashes.
Secondary insomnia can also be brought about by medications. Some medicines for asthma, allergy and cold can also cause insomnia. This sleeping difficulty can also be caused by meta blockers, which are used as treatment for heart conditions. Insomnia can also be caused by substances that have been commonly used. Some of these substances are caffeine and other stimulants, tobacco and other products containing nicotine, and alcohol and other sedatives.
Primary insomnia, the type of insomnia occurring for at least a month, is not considered as a symptom of another condition. Primary insomnia can be triggered by major changes in the lifestyle. Major or long-lasting stress and emotional distress can also be a cause. Other basic factors that may also trigger insomnia are travel and irregular work schedules that can disturb the regular sleeping hours. Sometimes, resolution of these issues do not guarantee the permanent treatment of insomnia. The habits that were formed to deal with the lack of sleep may cause sleeping difficulty to continue. These habits refer to taking naps, worrying about sleep, and going to bed earlier than the usual.
The idea that some people are born with a stronger tendency to develop insomnia is still being studied by researchers and experts. Some psychological factors that can also trigger the development of insomnia are anxiety or increased tension and apprehension, stress or difficulty in coping up with any emotional, physical, social or economic changes, depression or sadness, despair and discouragement. Insomnia can also start with just a single night of not having a good sleep but later developing into a repetitive cycle of not having a good night's sleep. In situations such as these, consulting a psychologist, psychiatrist or counselor can be of big help to overcome these psychological difficulties.
The development of this sleep disorder can also be attributed to physiological factors. Hormonal changes such as premenstrual syndrome, menstrual period, pregnancy and menopause for women can also be a contributing factor. As person grows older, the melatonin or the hormone for controlling sleep also decreases. A person who may be suffering from illnesses or other diseases may also have difficulty sleeping due to the pain. Experts are also still trying to look at the role of genetics in development of insomnia but it has already been a common observation that insomnia can be seen in some families.